This Kiwi startup will use blockchain technology to trace garments from origin to sale

A Kiwi startup has raised $1.2 million to develop a platform which uses blockchain technology to trace garments from origin to sale.

The funding from the NEM Community Fund will allow Origins to verify the source of apparel in the retail industry in a quest to end modern-day slavery.

Founder Samantha Jones, the 2017 New Zealand Young Innovator of the year7 and also runs an ethical clothing supplier called Little Yellow Bird, says the platform will help to solve a problem she has faced firsthand.

Jones is the second New Zealand venture and first woman internationally to have a project funded by the NEM Community Fund.

“The supply chain industry is one of best areas to develop a real world blockchain use case and we are excited to support Origins in utilising the NEM blockchain technology which will be a great showcase globally,” says Jason Lee, Expansion Director for Australia and New Zealand at NEM.

“This is also aligns with NEM’s aim to support social impact project like these across the region”.

In August, Jones will visit India to setup phase one of the Origins implementation plan.

Then in September she will speak at the Social Enterprise World Forum in Edinburgh, talking about lack of transparency within the retail sector, and how her solution will be able to help other brands solve this issue.